Mahinda’s Little World

Only today did I realise just how many people I know have blogs - there’s a HUGE (and highly interconnected) MUGSS contingent on LiveJournal, for a start. Now, I really don’t want to get involved in that - it’s not that I don’t like or get on with that lot…it’s just that I don’t want to. Nothing personal!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to have much of a choice.

There are a lot of things that I’d like to put down here…after all, my initial intention was to have it as a sort of diary. Some people can get away with this - one friend, whose blog I’ve recently been perusing, gets VERY personal, safe in the knowledge (presumably) that the people concerned don’t read about themselves…or have friends reading about them.

I just don’t have that luxury. Okay, so it’s inherently big-headed, and symptomatic of thinking that the world revolves around me, but it’s true!

One solution would be to have “friends only” posts, but I sort of feel that that negates the point. It’s like having armed police, completely non-smoking pubs, and ID cards - on paper, I don’t think you can construct a valid argument against it…but, in my opinion, it’s just wrong on vaguely moral grounds. Or something.

Anyway, enough of being maudlin. What have I been up to of late?

Sunday

Spent most of the day sleeping or lazing around - Sunday Mahinda came to the fore, as is his wont.

Linden then called me out to see Narnia (or “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” to give it its proper name) - I inveigled Housemate Lynda into joining me, and drove into MancLand. We purchased tickets, and bumped into Linden, Justin, Lizzie, Lizzie (another one!), Sam and Ed. Our seats, as it turned out, were right behind theirs - handy! They went for a drink in the Printworks, while Lynda and I went in search of mulled wine (and, in my case, a highly tasty steak burger) in St. Anne’s Square.

Got back just in time to miss most of the trailers. Unfortunately, some buggers had nicked our seats - we snaffled some equally good ones instead, but missed out on the goodness that is mythering your friends from behind.

‘Twas a very good film - I was expecting absolutely awful things, possibly even a complete Disney desecration of one of the great books of my childhood*. Fortunately, that was not the case, with some lovely performances from the four child actors, especially Lucy.

* See also “Rings, Lord of the”, “Swallows and Amazons”, “Wild Things Are, Where The” and “Caterpillar, the Very Hungry”.

It had very much of a Railway Children feel to it with Susan, in particular, having the potential to be the next Jenny Agutter. Just without the red petticoat. There’s no way I’m going to Google for a suitable image, given Ms. Agutter’s subsequent career.

Susan was always my favourite character, which probably reveals something about my psyche.

Narnia

I’m just a bit worried that the other six books aren’t going to work out so well - after all, not all of them would make such good films. Reepicheep in particular could become the next Jar Jar ****ing Binks.

Still, it just goes to show that Harry Potter really isn’t the amazing revelationary series that the marketeers (and sheep) would have us believe. Sure, it’s good, but it’s really not the first set of children’s books to feature strong, developed characters and a proper plot.

As we left the auditorium, I happened to spot Workmate Caroline and Gav (her bloke) sitting there watching the credits. Justin (himself a former workmate) and I went over to say hello, and we all ended up decamping to the Sinclair for a Sunday evening pint before venturing home.

I ended up giving lifts to Pete and Rosy (plus Housemate Lynda, of course), and that’s when I noticed that I was getting some strange pains in my chest, just below my heart I suppose.

Thought nothing much of it, went home, and headed to bed.

Monday

I had a seriously bad night’s sleep. I reckon I’d sprained my diaphragm, and it hurt (in short sharp jolts) to laugh, reach, bend over and even breathe heavily.

Not good.

Still, I had to go shooting after work. Didn’t do too badly, considering. Had to miss out on yet another visit to the downstairs bit of Samsi

Tuesday

Gave hockey training a miss. Worked reasonably late and chilled out at home instead. I think.

Was still getting chest pains, but it wasn’t quite as bad as Monday.

Got an invite from Howell to the Fab Café Christmas Party, but couldn’t make it as I had to peel spuds. I kid you not.

Wednesday

Felt much better, but was very short on sleep - I move around a lot in my sleep, so a problem where you get a sharp pain in your chest if you twist around really isn’t good.

After work, I dashed over to Howell’s place for his Christmas dinner/film party. Was very good, but deserves a full write-up of its own, one of these days.

Thursday

Went to the German market for mulled wine and sausage, with Boss Alison, Workmate Caroline and Gav. Was a nice little evening out. Bought slab of beef and stored it in my coat pocket for the rest of the evening!

After the market closed up, we had a pint in the City Arms, then dispersed. I headed to UMIST to find the MUGSS bunch, and then headed with a select few (too few) of them to Via Fossa for more drinks.

I managed to promise Mia that I’d start playing badminton with her next year. I WILL find the time for it!

Unfortunately, I later lost the “Danger! Moose** ahead!” badge from my coat, which had lived on my lapel for the best part of five years. It was a souvenir from Finland. If anyone can find a replacement, I’d be eternally grateful.

** Technically an elk, of course, but never mind.

I’ll write about the weekend later…